Original Date: 08/15/1991
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

MagneTek Defense Systems (MDS) uses Anvil 5000 and Anvil 1000 computer aided design (CAD) software for design and drafting work load automation. Anvil 5000 software is a three-dimensional CAD system for conceptual design and solids modeling efforts. Although Anvil 5000 can also be used to generate individual piece part drawings, MDS has opted for the faster, two-dimensional Anvil 1000 software. These software packages allow easy data transfer between Anvil packages and others such as PCAD and are fully linked to reflect so that changes made in any drawing view will be reflected in all other views of the part or assembly.

MDS has taken advantage of these software capabilities to more efficiently use the engineering staff. Engineers now are used to perform conceptual design and analysis, while design details and drafting efforts are performed by the CAD draftsmen. MDS also makes use of modular elements and standard parts as much as possible, to further reduce drafting time for piece parts and assemblies.

The up-front conceptual design and analysis process is enhanced through the use of the COSMOS/M Finite Element Modeling software. The increased emphasis on preliminary design allows MDS to make more accurate project proposals, as well as assuring that the proposed design will work as planned. The finite element modeling also greatly reduces the need to build prototypes, and the costly and time-consuming testing of those prototypes.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.